Remembering Names

I have quite a large list of goals I hope to accomplish during my life. Some are large goals, like my desire to backpack through Europe after I graduate college for 6+ weeks, or my hope to rescue as many animals as possible, or to attend a Super Bowl. However, I have some small goals that I try to accomplish daily. Most are simple things like holding the door for people, drinking enough water, and living honestly. One of my daily goals is not so simple, but perhaps the most important to me.

Whenever I meet someone new, I make it my personal goal to remember his or her name. I do this for a number of reasons. First, I like it when people I just meet do it for me. Second, I think it is really important to use a person's name in daily conversation. Third, it impresses people that you are able to do this. Fourth, it's important and makes a person feel special.

This task comes relatively easy for me mainly because I have a ridiculously good memory. It also comes easy to me because it is a personal goal of mine. I am always sure to pay extra attention to a person when they introduce themselves. When is the last time you have met someone that has not had to ask twice what your name was?

Since I realize that this is not an easy task for everyone, I have come up with a list of tips that I do to help me remember a person's name so that I do not find myself needing to ask the dreaded question: "What's your name again?"

1. As soon as I learn a person's name, I try to immediately use it in conversation. "It is nice to meet you Jackie..." or "Jackie, where are you from?"

2. End the conversation using the person's name. "Have a great day, Brian." or "Hope to see you again soon, Brian."

3. For some reason, if I know where a person is from, I can associate that place with them. They are no longer just Jessica, they are Jessica from Minneapolis. Find some way that you can associate a person with something whether it is where they are from, what they do, or what his or her hobbies are.

4. Ask someone how they spell their name. Maybe it is Katie, only they spell it Catey. Or even Emily, spelt Emilie. Being able to visualize their name exactly how it is spelt will help you remember their name even more quickly because it is different than what you are used to.

5. Use mnemonic devices or alliteration to remember a name of someone you meet. For example, Charlie from Chicago, Jammin' Jake, John...like my best friend, etc.

6. If a person's name is one you have not heard before, ask them the meaning behind it. I once met a girl named Seranda and she told me how her sister had picked her name out for her when she was born. I still remember it to this day.

7. If a person has a name that is hard to pronounce, take the extra effort to actually learn how to say it (and perhaps use rule #4 and ask them how it is spelt).

8. Say the person's name to yourself three times right when they introduce themselves.

9. If a person calls you about something that you have not personally met (maybe you are looking at an apartment, selling your car, or inquiring about a job), write their name down as soon as they say it and use it at the end of the phone conversation (just like rule #2, only easier).

10. Most importantly, do what I do. Make it a goal for yourself to actually remember the names of those you meet. You will stand out to everyone you meet because you have remembered their name.

I feel this is such an important skill to have because according to Dale Carnegie, who developed famous courses on self-improvement and self-confidence, "a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language." I fully believe that this is one skill you will not regret making the effort to have. Think about it for a second, when you have to tell a person your name again, how do you feel? I personally feel unimportant and receive the vibe that the person does not even care about me. When a person remembers your name, I bet you feel just the opposite: important and that they actually care.

Make the commitment today to remember the names of those you meet. Make them feel important and that you were genuinely listening and that you genuinely care.